Parade, other events honor Martin Luther King Jr.

San Diego  A sunny day was filled with shining celebrations Saturday of the life of Martin Luther King Jr., beginning with a morning parade through downtown San Diego that was all about diversity, community and pride.

Other events included a festival, a day of service and a special honor for two Oceanside volunteers whose work was cited as exemplifying the ideals of the slain civil rights leader.

The 30th annual Martin Luther King Day Parade, sponsored by the Zeta Sigma Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, was filled with marching bands and representatives of diverse groups, from college organizations to drug-rehab facilities to a lowrider car club.

Spectators along the route said they felt the parade, with its small-town feel, truly honored King.

“My daughter learned about Martin Luther King Jr. in school, and we’re just trying to support his dream of unifying all nationalities and cultures,” said LaToya Alston, who watched the parade with daughter Ayress, 5, on her lap. “We’re seeing that actually happening here today.”

Nearly 3,000 participants walked, rode or danced in the parade, which organizers said focused on young people.

“The importance of this event today is demonstrated by the number of youths in the parade and the cultural diversity that exists among participants,” said Robert Matthews, parade committee co-chairman.

Grand marshal Dorothy Smith, former trustee and president of the San Diego city school board, kicked off the parade. A crowd of people about five lines’ deep surrounded the announcers’ stage on J Street in front of Petco’s Park at the Park.

Parade-goers didn’t have to walk far to attend the 12th annual San Diego Multicultural Festival, a daylong celebration featuring music and dance performances and nearly 80 food, vendor and resource booths. The festival lined Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade across from the San Diego Convention Center.

Organized by the Centre City Development Corp., downtown San Diego’s redevelopment agency, the festival has grown over the years and was expected to attract as many as 20,000 attendees. CCDC spokesman Derek Danziger said the event is held to bring people downtown and to celebrate San Diego’s rich cultures.

“The promenade is a fitting location for this event,” said Danziger, adding that while the parade and festival are organized separately, there is a good synergy between them.

After walking in the parade, a group of volunteers organized by the University of California San Diego traveled to National City for a Day of Service to help restore and maintain the historic Stein Family Farm, in honor of King’s focus on community service.

In Oceanside Saturday, Dennis and Diana Cleary were given the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award at an event honoring King.

The annual award, bestowed by Mayor Jim Wood, honors city residents. The Clearys volunteer at many organizations, including Fraternity House, which houses and assists men and women with HIV/AIDS. Diana Cleary runs the resident-advocacy program, and Dennis Cleary, a retired attorney, gives legal advice.

The award was given at an event sponsored by the North County NAACP at MiraCosta College Theatre.

Though not officially part of the parade festivities in San Diego, Chargers fans were hard to miss Saturday.

While waiting for their daughter Sabrina Soto, 12, who plays bass drum for Lemon Grove Middle School, her family sat in their Chargers folding chairs in blue-and-gold jerseys and caps. But they were there to do more than support Sabrina.

“We love this parade,” said her mother, Dina Soto. “It’s a community thing, right here in beautiful downtown San Diego. We’ve been coming since before she was even in the parade.”